Robert Card photograph.Photo:Lewiston Maine Police Department via AP
Lewiston Maine Police Department via AP
The family ofRobert Card— the man responsible for thedeadly mass shootingsthat killed 18 people and injured 13 others in Lewiston, Maine — had alerted authorities about his deteriorating mental health months before his violent rampage, according to the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office.
Card’s family then “assured our office that they would ensure that Card received medical attention,” according to the release, which added: “In addition, Mr. Card’s unit sergeant shared his plan to speak with Card.”
Law enforcement officials investigate outside the Schemengees Bar and Grille on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine.Scott Eisen/Getty Images
Scott Eisen/Getty Images
“In September, the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office received an email from Mr. Card’s Army Reserve unit in Saco, asking for a wellness check on Mr. Card,” Merry’s statement continued.
“A deputy visited Mr. Card’s residence on Sept. 15, 2023, and Sept. 16, 2023. Mr. Card was not at his residence during the first visit,” the sheriff added. “The alert included a warning that Mr. Card was known to be armed and dangerous and included details of his behavior. The alert urged that officers use extreme caution.”
Per Merry’s statement, the deputy spoke with Card’s brother, who agreed to “secure any firearms” that Card could use, on Sept. 17.
A police officer blocks access to the road to Sparetime Recreation on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine.Scott Eisen/Getty Images
“USE CAUTION IF RESPONDING” to Card’s house because of “PARANOID BEHAVIOR,” Sagadahoc County Deputy Chad Carleton wrote in the report, adding that he possessed “10-15 FIREARMS” in his residence and/or vehicle, per the outlet.
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“I learned from [Card’s son] that his father’s mental health is in question. [Card’s son] told me that back around January, he noticed his father was starting to claim that people were saying things about him, while out in public,” Carleton wrote per ABC News.
FBI agents are on the scene at Schemengees Bar where a mass shooting occurred yesterday in Lewiston, Maine on October 26, 2023.JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty
JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty
“Cara also told me that Robert had recently picked up 10-15 handguns/rifles that had previously been stored at his brother Ryan Card’s house,” Carleton added, per the outlet. “[His son] said the majority of the guns are locked up in Robert’s bedroom but added he may have one in his truck. [Card’s son] denied that Robert has done anything threatening with the guns, but is concerned that his father has them.”
According to theBoston Globe, last month the Army Reserve said, “Card is going to snap and commit a mass shooting.”
Card, 40, wasfound dead last Friday near a river in Lisbon, Lewiston Police Chief David St. Pierre said. Maine Commissioner of Public Safety Michael Sauschuck said he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 7:45 p.m. ET.
The Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
source: people.com
